Dying is Inevitable. Living is Not: Wayne Earl at TEDxYouth@SanDiego
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- čas přidán 27. 06. 2024
- Wayne Earl reveals the power of living and loving life by sharing the wisdom of his daughter, Esther Earl, who lost her battle with cancer just before her 16th birthday. Esther's courage, positive spirit and hope for the future transformed all who knew her. She showed the world what it meant to live life before death (via her well known vlogs and blogs) and that love is the engine of life. Esther Earl shared her spark of possibility with great generosity and was the inspiration for author John Green's #1 New York Times bestseller, The Fault In our Stars.
Wayne Earl recently authored the compelling life story of his daughter, Esther Grace, who succumbed to cancer shortly beforeher 16th birthday. Before she died, a deepening friendship with her favorite author, John Green, greatly encouraged her. The friendship also inspired Mr. Green, most notably in his writing of the world- renowned novel, The Fault in Our Stars, which he dedicated to Esther. The Earl Family founded the non-profit organization, This Star Won't Go Out, to help ease the financial burdens of families caring for children with cancer.
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)
It doesn't get any better than thinking that she'd be proud of me! She was a wise, old soul.
When I first heard of Esther, she had already passed away. But even tho she's not here on earth, she's been such a big insperation to me.
not ashamed to say i cried and cried and cried during and after this video.
We come into this world with a unique purpose that will touch other lives. When the time clock runs out it is because our mission has perfectly completed.
I always tear up when I watch videos about Esther, especially this one with her father. Esther was exactly 2 months older than me, and in essentially the same time on this planet, I felt like I had not accomplished anything, whereas Esther left behind this amazing legacy of bringing light to peoples lives, something that still echoes throughout Nerdfighteria. Since I joined Nerdfighteria, and learnt about Esther, and her passing, I decided I would do something with my life, with Esther as my guide. I'm English, I live in Britain, but I have been out to America for three months and volunteered. I've also volunteered a lot in England, and I'm doing all I can to make my life count, and I like to think that wearing my TSWGO wristband means Esther is with me, helping me to keep pushing on.
You definitely have not forgotten to be awesome!
Sabina Barber start your own accomplishments. make videos. do things.
There was never any other choice. When I first held her, I said, "Hello, Esther Grace."
Only by crying before and after the talk. And because I was so nervous! ;)
This is Lori, answering for Wayne. Graham is 47xxy--his primary disabilities are speech issues, and some developmental delays. He's 17, curious, loves Doctor Who and Scooby Doo, and doesn't really think of himself as having a disability, except for speech :)
I couldn't help but crying out of overwhelming understanding for the love you had for your daughter and the love you continue to spread with her image. You, Esther, are one star that will never be extinguished. DFTBA.
She was beautiful... and always will be, because she lives in her parents and siblings' hearts... and now, thanks to her dad and John, in ours. Thank you for sharing her with us.
I'm sitting here, bawling like a baby and in one sense I'm extremely sad because she sounds like such an amazing person and she's gone. But on the other hand, I can't stop smiling, because such an amazing person actually did exist. RIA Esther. Your stars still shining bright for Nerdfighters and everyone else to see.
Keep shining bright, Esther Earl.
Present Tense. Forever and Always.
This Star Won't Go Out. We won't let it.
Absolutely April!
I was not prepared for this much crying. But it's a lovely talk.
Hey. I'm a DeMaio too!
Cool!
Hearing about Esther will never fail to make me cry.
Rest in Awesome Esther, we won't forget you
Every time I see things like this lecturer and others -- 'like the last lecturer" -- I assume the main thing is simple: love, live well, pursue your dreams. And these are because life is great but tough. It is totally bittersweet. Without dreams, goals, love, we are just insignificant miserable mortal creatures. But we can, we can with faith take it to another place. How many of us now are going through some hardship? Hang in there. That too shall pass.
"She's my star." The Fault in Our Stars...
Crying and smiling. I think that's right.
I am so glad I had the opportunity to meet these wonderful people and talk to them for a little while. Esther day in Quincy was awesome. Dftba
Rest in awesome, Esther.
Since I read The Fault in Our Stars, I wanted to know who Esther was... There was no better way than this. This star will never go out!
"I called her, My star" *sniffs*
Yes.
This was so beautiful. I didn't get the connection until he said Nerdfighters. I now understand why there is an Ester day, what a wonderful person. DFTBA.
The fact he calls her Esther Grace reminds me of the The Fault In Our Stars and how Augustus always calls her Hazel Grace. RIA Esther, we love you, present tense.
I met Esther after she was resting in awesome, and she's changed my life. You never truly die when you are remembered.
that was a great talk, i am trying to cry quietly because its late at night...
ester inspires me, well done for raising an awesome girl
I just...I'm so moved by this video. Wayne Earl, your daughter was a fantastic individual. And she is going to live on in every single nerdfighter, and every single person who celebrates "Esther Day."
I can't stop crying, this is incredible
I'm 16 now. It seems that it's always the best people that are affected by tagedies like this, and I can see that your family are amongst some of the best people. This is beautiful and I love hearing about Esther and her life. And I want you to know that as someone who is a teenager and dealing with ordinairy teenage life I would like to say your daughter, you and your family inspire me. I'm so glad she is now getting her gift of words- TSWGO.
Thank you Steph. I agree!
Wayne Earl helo sorry.
What a beautiful speech. I was in tears watching it. If you see this, sir, thank you for such an eloquent insight into the life of your truly inspiring daughter.
Such beautiful words, about a beautiful person, who clearly was a part of a wonderful family. Thank you Mr Earl and Ester for the inspiration and the awesome!
I loved so much the way you imitated her voice. I really felt that's the way she talked. :)
I haven't cried this much in a long time :'( A deeply moving story. Rest in Awesome, Esther Earl, your star will never go out!
I was not aware of esther while she was living but through watching the video's that John Green, and others have done about her life and the way she lived it, her own videos, and looking at the charirtiest she tried to promote. I have come to Respect Esther and feel that she had a wisdom well beyond her years.
Crying my eyes out .. Xxxx
A beautiful telling of Esther's story. It's truly amazing what an impact this young woman had on so many. Her father is a great man for using his daughter's untimely passing to further her message of love. Esther may be physically gone, but it is clear she lives on in the love we share with the world. Rest in Awesome, Esther, you have done more amazing things for this world in 16 years then most people do in 100.
Wayne Earl is such an inspirational, wonderful man. Rest in awesome, Esther and thanks for your beautiful legacy! Your inspiration lives on, sending unending ripples over our planet, blessing all who hear your story.
Hope you are well Sally! Thank you again for the great opportunity to share her life. Much affection.
Rest in awesome Esther x
Very moving speech. Bitter-sweet, but very inspiring.
Esther's start won't go out. Never.
♥
This is beautiful! Her story is so sweet and inspiring that made me cry. Rest in awesome, Esther. DFTBA
Wow, this was absolutely amazing (or should I say awesome) I have read her book, watched her blogs, but never got to really know her in real life. Esther Grace, she impressed me. The way she thought about things, the amount of love she gave to others. She inspired me to, you know, love more. To love what you have, be thankful for what you have, and to love others with all the love that you have. Just like you said Wayne, love is the most powerful thing on earth. I went to the library a couple of days ago, and gave them a book suggestion; I told them they should put the book This Star Won't Go Out in the library. I did this because I am so thankful for her inspiration and 'knowing' Esther, and I want others to read about her as well. To get inspired by her awesomeness and her love. Wayne, thank you for this video. Esther Grace, rest in Awesome. Lots of love from Holland
Full circle comes around. I was wandering on CZcams for the second day now, and this came up in my feed. Never knew it would be connected to John Green: an author that I truly adore. Welp, I'm adding this to my answers
This is such a powerful message "Love is stronger than death". I'm glad i watched this.
Absolutely moving and stupendous. Thank you, Mr. Earl.
Crying so hard right now.
This made me cry.
Such an inspiring person. Thank you Mr. Earl and Esther.
You are truly an amazing human being and I am so honored to meet you! Great man, best teacher, and a person that I will carry in my heart forever!
"Death is inevitable, but living is not. Death is not the most powerful thing in life: Life is, and Love is the engine of life. There is Something that is stronger than death."
Amen, brother! I am so sorry for your loss (which I nevertheless believe Christ will turn into gain--it is His way!). May Esther's memory be eternal (as we say in the Eastern Orthodox communion--which is to say may she continue to live and not be forgotten because it is God Himself who holds His own in eternal memory)! May her star shine brightly for Him from Heaven!
I do not believe there could be any better summary than that quoted from you above to express the gospel, especially as I have found it to shine forth through the Paschal Liturgy of the Orthodox Church. (I hope you get the chance to experience that someday if you have never done so.)
Wayne (and Lori), I'm so glad I found this, as I have thought of you often since we met in the 1980's through Jerry, and I have never forgotten your powerful story of how Jesus rescued you out of a dumpster, so to speak, and washed you clean by the power of regeneration through the Holy Spirit over a period of hours and empowered you to keep your promise to Him! (Is that on video anywhere?) I have never forgotten the love that encounter put in your eyes and how it gently penetrated through to my soul when we met--the touch of Christ is unmistakable. What a blessing God has made you and your family!
If you are ever back in the city in which we met, that is where I now live--I would love to see you and your family and introduce my husband, son (20) and daughter (17). I have no doubt you have a multitude of stories like these to tell (with your younger brother still faithfully following in your footsteps, I hope!). Blessings to you all!
Walker? Wheaton? Love a mystery! Your thoughts are very kind. Message me on fb for an update: facebook.com/wayneearlauthor/
this is so beautiful and inspiring. Esther was unfairly taken too early but her message is so strong and lives on. I'm so moved
Wonderful Story Wayne. Thank you.
I strongly suspect it was deliberate, and a homage to Esther (may she forever rest in awesome).
Thank You Esther.
Just started crying to this.
I feel like that scene in V for Vendetta when Natalie Portman is reading the letter in the jailcell "Even though I don't know you, and even though I may never meet you, laugh with you, cry with you, or kiss you, I love you."
This was honestly the single most beautiful and sad thing I've ever watched, I was crying for most of it.
Quietly sobbing because I'm losing Hazel and Esther all over again. But in doing so I'm remembering why we're here and that being awesome is about much more than just us.
I never met Esther, nor have I ever talked to her. Yet, I admire her love and strength. Lori and Wayne Earl, you raised a daughter that changed my life. Thank you.
Brilliant quotes, Such inspirational words, I just wish( and hope) she, some how, knows what amazing effect she made on us all
Esther was an inspiration, its unfortunate that she was taken away from us so early. however she will live on in our hearts, DFTBA
aaaaaaaand i'm crying
Thank you for this video xxx
You are very wise.
So great to hear this story from Esther's dad. Thanks to Wayne and the people at TED for putting on the talk.
RIP esther
This is so, so beautiful and so powerful. It's amazing the impact that someone who is not physically here can continue to have on a whole community. Thank you for sharing, Mr. Earl.
Absolutely beautiful.
the whole time i read TFIOS, i pictured hazel as esther :) every time she smiled, i saw esthers beautiful smile. i'm so happy that this amazing girl was able to share her story with the world and it truly believe we live in a better place for that
a wonderful talk, and speech, thank you
thank you for sharing your story. it is truly inspirational
I just finished this star won't go out. I loved it.
Thank you for raising such a beautiful person.
I'm wearing my "This Star Won't Go Out" bracelet. I hardly ever take it off.
Nillie do you still wear it
bloody hell this made me cry!
I'm sorry to hear that you feel that way, but thank you for replying and explaining.
Love you, husband mine!
How lucky am I?
Thank you.
I was trying so hard not to cry. I failed.
ROAD Esther. Thank you Mr. Earl for sharing her with us. I can't believe it's already been two years.
I had no clue she lived in Saudi Arabia as a kid--I did as well. Odd the things that connect us...
DFTBA
Where? We were in Al Khobar/Dammam.
Amazing speech
I was sobbing my heart out....
Oh, my heart
This is so great.
Why am I crying.
Thank you for indulging my curiosity, Lori! You guys are such awesome parents.
Just amazing! I cried. I'm so incredibly inspired!
this is so beautiful, Esther will always be an inspiration, rest in awesome
Happy Esther day.
I love this talk, this man speaks with such love and compassion yet clarity. I'm so happy I found this.❤️
Makes my heart happy!
This is beautiful, I wish i could have been at this talk. Thank you for sharing everything with us (nerdfighters). Thank you and your family for giving us Esther and for sharing her story and your story with us.
Guys, why am I crying?
This star will certainly not go out!
Absolutely beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing - and I will indeed begin building. :)
Only the good seem to leave us too soon... DTFBA
aww its actually ssoo sad, he is so brave to talk about it ;')
wowowowowowowow.
DAMN ONIONS!
16:25 minutes of my life beautifully spent. Thank you for sharing such an inspirational story of a truly awesome human being.